Bété / Guéré - Côte d'Ivoire
07
days
04
hours
11
minutes
19
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 550 - € 650
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West Forest Wè/Bété ritual mask from Côte d'Ivoire, late 20th century, carved wood with hair, teeth, cord, fabric and nails, height 350 mm, width 250 mm, depth 175 mm, weight 775 g, featuring a movable lower jaw and a ritual patina, used to maintain order, dispense justice and for initiation rites.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Côte d'Ivoire
Bété / Guéré
Height: 350mm
Width: 250mm
Depth: 175mm
Weight: 775g
This mask marks a complete break with the polished, smooth styles of central Côte d'Ivoire. We radically change cultural air to enter the forested west of Côte d'Ivoire, within the Wè (Guéré / Wobé) cultural complex or among their Bété neighbors.
It is a mask of power, justice, and social regulation (often linked to the great family of masks Glé or Gré).
1. Stylistic Characteristics and Description of the Object
The aesthetic of this mask rests on the accumulation of materials and on an intentionally terrifying or impressive expressiveness, intended to command respect:
The Articulated Jaw: This is the major technical feature of the piece, clearly visible on the back of the mask. The lower jaw is an independent wooden piece, firmly fixed to the rest of the face by flexible rubber or fiber ties. The open mouth reveals massive, rough wooden teeth.
The Eyes and the Face: The eyes are formed by strong horizontal almond-shaped reliefs, almost globular, housing narrow slits. The nose is short and flared. The face bears a sacrificial crusty dark patina, evidence of ritual substances (oils, sap, offerings) poured onto it to activate its spiritual power.
Magical and Organic Attributes: The top of the forehead is capped by a roll of fabric or leather containing magical charges (amulets), adorned with ancient nails and fragments of shells (cowries). The face is entirely framed by a thick mane and a beard of dark fibers or animal fur (often colobus monkey), enhancing its wild and formidable appearance.
2. Origin and Context: The Forest West (Wè / Bété)
Unlike the masks of Baoulé or Gouro art that seek to idealize human beauty, Wè and Bété sculptors seek to materialize the unpredictable forces of the bush. This composite style, combining wood, metal, textile and organic elements, is the signature of the powerful secret societies of western Ivory Coast.
3. Functional Use and Ritual Significance
This type of mask has police, judicial and religious functions of first order within the village:
Maintaining Order and Justice: This mask is not for entertainment. It appears to arbitrate grave conflicts between clans, pronounce judgments, or denounce sorcerous behaviors. Its frightening appearance serves to embody an indisputable supra-natural authority: in its presence, truth must emerge.
Initiation Rites and Funerals: It also appears during major initiation ceremonies for young people to test their courage, or during the funerals of great warriors and respected chiefs, in order to drive away malevolent spirits and escort the soul of the deceased.
In summary
This Wè / Bété mask is a ritual object of power, powerful and history-laden. Through its articulated jaw, its sacrificial patina and its magical attributes, it perfectly illustrates the role of masks from western Côte d'Ivoire: to channel the sacred forces of nature to uphold law and order within the community.
The items are sent with assurance and tracking number.
Packages are shipped from Monday to Saturday. Delivery in France in 1 to 3 days via Chronopost, and between 2 and 5 days throughout Europe. Delivery worldwide via Colissimo International.
We speak english.
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateCôte d'Ivoire
Bété / Guéré
Height: 350mm
Width: 250mm
Depth: 175mm
Weight: 775g
This mask marks a complete break with the polished, smooth styles of central Côte d'Ivoire. We radically change cultural air to enter the forested west of Côte d'Ivoire, within the Wè (Guéré / Wobé) cultural complex or among their Bété neighbors.
It is a mask of power, justice, and social regulation (often linked to the great family of masks Glé or Gré).
1. Stylistic Characteristics and Description of the Object
The aesthetic of this mask rests on the accumulation of materials and on an intentionally terrifying or impressive expressiveness, intended to command respect:
The Articulated Jaw: This is the major technical feature of the piece, clearly visible on the back of the mask. The lower jaw is an independent wooden piece, firmly fixed to the rest of the face by flexible rubber or fiber ties. The open mouth reveals massive, rough wooden teeth.
The Eyes and the Face: The eyes are formed by strong horizontal almond-shaped reliefs, almost globular, housing narrow slits. The nose is short and flared. The face bears a sacrificial crusty dark patina, evidence of ritual substances (oils, sap, offerings) poured onto it to activate its spiritual power.
Magical and Organic Attributes: The top of the forehead is capped by a roll of fabric or leather containing magical charges (amulets), adorned with ancient nails and fragments of shells (cowries). The face is entirely framed by a thick mane and a beard of dark fibers or animal fur (often colobus monkey), enhancing its wild and formidable appearance.
2. Origin and Context: The Forest West (Wè / Bété)
Unlike the masks of Baoulé or Gouro art that seek to idealize human beauty, Wè and Bété sculptors seek to materialize the unpredictable forces of the bush. This composite style, combining wood, metal, textile and organic elements, is the signature of the powerful secret societies of western Ivory Coast.
3. Functional Use and Ritual Significance
This type of mask has police, judicial and religious functions of first order within the village:
Maintaining Order and Justice: This mask is not for entertainment. It appears to arbitrate grave conflicts between clans, pronounce judgments, or denounce sorcerous behaviors. Its frightening appearance serves to embody an indisputable supra-natural authority: in its presence, truth must emerge.
Initiation Rites and Funerals: It also appears during major initiation ceremonies for young people to test their courage, or during the funerals of great warriors and respected chiefs, in order to drive away malevolent spirits and escort the soul of the deceased.
In summary
This Wè / Bété mask is a ritual object of power, powerful and history-laden. Through its articulated jaw, its sacrificial patina and its magical attributes, it perfectly illustrates the role of masks from western Côte d'Ivoire: to channel the sacred forces of nature to uphold law and order within the community.
The items are sent with assurance and tracking number.
Packages are shipped from Monday to Saturday. Delivery in France in 1 to 3 days via Chronopost, and between 2 and 5 days throughout Europe. Delivery worldwide via Colissimo International.
We speak english.
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Ethnic group/ culture
Bété / Guéré
Country of Origin
Côte d'Ivoire
Period
Late 20th century
Material
Wood / fur / teeth / cord / fabric / nail
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Sold by
Disclaimer
Bidders need to be aware that several countries do not allow importing objects derived from endangered and other protected species, even if a certificate of origin is provided. By bidding, you confirm that you have familiarised yourself with customs laws and regulations of your own country.
Bidders need to be aware that several countries do not allow importing objects derived from endangered and other protected species, even if a certificate of origin is provided. By bidding, you confirm that you have familiarised yourself with customs laws and regulations of your own country.
